Brave New Eco is looking for someone special to join our small, dynamic and committed design team.We are a happy productive studio in which everyone wears a number of different hats and brings a range of skills to the table. We manage multiple projects and clients so our team members need to be happy having their heads and hearts across several diverse elements at once.

We are looking for a designer to join our team on a permanent part-time basis - someone who would benefit from an independent flexible work environment; who has a passion for sustainable design; and has the relevant technical skills to contribute to our projects in a meaningful way.

The essentials:

- A commitment to sustainable outcomes and practice on a professional and personal level. (At BNE we walk-the-walk and talk-the-talk)

- Must have relevant qualifications and 3+ years professional experience in an Interior Design or Architecture practice.

- Must be competent in construction documentation and 3D renders using REVIT.

- Familiarity with the residential building code, construction documentation conventions and the stages of design and tender process.

- Passive solar design principles; sustainable design principles and product knowledge; and/or permaculture knowledge would be a bonus but is not essential. We can provide training and resources to up-skill in this area.

- Graphic design skills.

- Competent use of Excel and other microsoft office products.

- Research and writing skills.

- Digital native problem solver :-)

DETAILS:

- Work is on a permanent casual basis and is PART TIME. Work/ life balance is very important to us, this position would suit someone wanting a part-time study or family-friendly workplace.

- If you are interested in this opportunity, please email us with some information about yourself, a resume with relevant experience, and a folio or examples of your work.

This project is the home of clients totally committed to living resourcefully in small spaces. These guys walk-the-walk and talk-the-talk - willing to do everything they can to reduce their energy use and create a low impact lifestyle for their family. I first met Zoe and Cameron when they came to chat with me at a 'Speed date a sustainable expert' event a few years back. When they got back in contact they had been working with Matt from Greensolar Designs to resolve a small extension design (building out to a boundary wall on one side) containing a third bedroom, light-well and a study.

After realising they could add two extra rooms and that the modestly-sized Collingwood cottage could really work for their family long term, they decided that they would need to include a renovation of the kitchen, bathroom, laundry, study, living room, and bedrooms. BNE was engaged to design these alterations including lighting, interior + exterior finishes, window + door furniture and soft furnishings. It was a pleasure to collaborate with Matt to create a modest, hyper-functional, super-cute home.

Above: The kitchen contains an induction cooktop, new highly efficient appliances, and beautiful matt black Paperock benchtops made from recycled bamboo and paper. Joinery was kept simple, with a combination of laminex and Vic ash veneer.

We started with the notion that a reconfiguration of the interior zones and good joinery design was the key to the small-spaces working for the family. We re-arranged their current furniture to better utilise the open-plan living spaces so they could test out a new layout whilst the design was being developed. In order to keep the kitchen small and simple, a metre wide extension to the boundary wall was suggested, allowing a walk in pantry to be included to allow for bulk purchasing and overflow appliances.

Above: The ventilated plywood-shelved walk in pantry was designed to house the Thermomix and toaster - keeping the kitchen bench space clear.

Above: Built-in robes and drawers were added to each room, with handmade hardwood handles by a local joiner. A study was designed with space for books and two desks, one standing and one sitting.

The interiors were painted throughout with non-toxic paints and timber sealants, retrofitted with LED lighting, eco-rated joinery materials were used and no MDF was used for mouldings or doors.

Above: The bathroom and laundry were reconfigured to allow for a large linen press for household storage. Handmade timber vanities were installed and custom mirror surrounds made with the left-over timbers.

Above: The bathrooms are compact but work a treat. Matt porcelain tiles in soft green and charcoal, combined with matt white penny rounds are durable and provide interest in the small space.

Above: Built-in-robes included drawers and a "play and study" nook in the children's room to reduce any need for extra pieces of furniture and keep the rooms open and spacious.

Water tanks, fully retrofitted insulation, a PV array, solar hot water, secure bike storage, and security window screens and doors for cross-flow ventilation complete the project making it an outstanding example of a sustainable retrofit home, not only in energy use but in encouraging sustainable lifestyle habits for this family and any future inhabitants.

UPDATE TO THIS BLOG POST! Are you a designer working as a sole practitioner or with 1-2 other people? Would you like to work in a productive purpose designer collaborative community? We have desks available in our design studio- and are looking for other designers or sustainability professionals looking for an exceptionally beautiful and functional working environment. Landscape, industrial, interiors, architecture, graphics all suitable practices. Read all the details about the studio here.

BNE has completed some workplace fit-outs in the last couple of years, alongside our residential work. Just to give you a taster we thought we would show you our own awesome creekside design studio in Northcote. When we found this studio we knew it ticked all the items on our wish list for the ultimate workspace. It is a sustainably retrofitted industrial building with a unique bonus - a 100 year lease on an acre of creek frontage - and a deck off the studio overlooking the native trees and Ceres environment park.

Seeing the adapative re-use and development of this industrial park on the edge of an important urban wildlife corridor is so encouraging. Erin and Henrik Ender, the architect and designer owners of Big Bang studios have not only developed this land but have contributed positively to the surrounding ecologies and community, activating the area socially and restoring a neglected and polluted creek frontage. They have also created an extraordinarily productive work environment, in which, you can step out at any time during the day onto the deck and have a few moments with the birdlife. We feel very privileged to be able to work from here, and our studio is multifaceted - part office, part maker-space, and part sanctuary (and occasional party venue).

Our workspace is perfect for our needs, as comfortable and homely as it is a functional professional environment. Our own studio design is a pretty organic and ongoing process but for our commissioned workplace designs we take a more refined approach - creating resolved and inherently resourceful, 'feel-good-to-be-in' workspaces. Below we have summarised just some of the considerations we use to embed sustainable objectives into these projects. Using a human and environment-centered approach, we focus on both the health and productivity of the users and the resourcefulness and adaptability of the space.

DIVERSITY AND ORGANISATIONAL CULTURE: Our designs are specifically curated for a business or organisation's individual structure, needs and personality. We lean away from bland corporate environments to create spaces that communicate the identity and ethos of a business and reflect the diverse personalities of the people within it. This may be by using locally designed/made elements, creating meaningful connections between object, maker and community. We may commission artworks or support art projects that communicate relevant themes. These gestures positively affect end-user perceptions of the work environment, enhancing comfort, amenity, connection and quite simply, making a person feel at home at work.

FUNCTIONAL COHESION: Functional amenity is created through logical and intuitive ease of movement, by using ergonomically optimised furnishings and joinery and by providing adequate and accessible storage. Interior design is a potential place to solve workplace problems around productivity, distraction and communication. Each workplaces way of operating needs to be firstly understood, and then ultimately improved by the process. Creating a healthy, pleasant workplace includes finding out what employees need from their environment to do their jobs well then responding to these needs within the design.

SUSTAINABILITY OF MATERIALS: We positively select for sustainably sourced materials, furnishings and fittings, that are either good environmental choice certified, energy efficient, low VOC, locally made or contain recycled materials. We take into consideration the life cycle impacts of a product.

ADAPTION AND RE-USE: We always start from a point of optimising the potential of existing features and resources of both the building and the existing furnishings. High quality, appealing and essential existing elements are often integrated with new furnishings. We aim for our workplaces to be future-proofed by designing in the flexibility to adapt to changing needs and growth over time. This may be through the use of modular or flexible systems or spaces and/or through selecting furnishings that allow for partial replacement, repair and upgrading. The value, enjoyment and longevity of our spaces is enriched by making classically appealing design choices in high-quality materials. Where possible we source second hand or upcycled furnishing and materials. We avoid applying a blanket solution to a whole environment and draw diverse elements together for flexibility, personalisation and interest. This diversity and quality creates interior spaces that withstand robust use and resist becoming outdated.

HEALTH AND WELLBEING: Evidence-based design methods are used to create pleasing and productive spaces that support human health and happiness. This involves the careful consideration of sound, lighting, indoor air quality, colour and artwork from a psychological and physiological health point of view. Improvements in indoor air quality can be achieved by minimising the use of materials that off-gas chemical pollutants, and by the beneficial installation of plant life to absorb remaining indoor pollutants. Providing pleasant visual aspects for users is possible with the use of carefully selected artwork, natural materials and textures and colour to create visual interest.

PLANTSCAPING: Indoor environmental quality (IEQ) can be dramatically improved by introducing plant life. This is due to the remarkable capacity of indoor plants for air purification through phytoremediation. Plants can absorb and metabolise airborne contaminants such as particulate matter (fine dust), and the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released from our furnishings, paints, adhesives, building materials, paper, textiles and plastics, found in high concentrations in well-sealed indoor environments. A University of Technology Sydney study on plants and indoor air quality found significant improvements in recuding stress and negative feelings with the introduction of plant life (up to 50 and 58 per cent respectively). Brave new eco specialises in plantscaping environments, specifying appropriate quantities and types of plant life in low care systems. You can read more about using plants in interior environments here.

This apartment for professional business coach Ange and Bodie her dog, was one of a boutique development in Port Melbourne with original high quality interior fit-out by Hecker Guthrie. We were engaged to personalise the storage and joinery for Ange's needs and help furnish the space, plus provide a plantscaping package. Existing exposed concrete ceilings, white paint, concrete, marble and washed-out American oak timber joinery detailing provided a pleasing base palette to work from. To ensure cohesion we worked with this existing 'feminine industrial' material palette enhancing the original features rather than diluting them. We started with a kitchen joinery unit - made to fit onto the original kitchen, yet reading as a distinct form. This joinery storage and shelving had to straddle both the functional needs of the kitchen yet sit comfortably with dining room furniture. Built by Auld designs, the American oak veneer unit was carefully oiled with non-toxic Osmo oils. Locally crafted MadeMeasure leather cabinet tabs were perfectly toned in the space. We replaced the kitchen wall light with a handmade Anchor ceramics wall light in dove grey, to match the existing grey-blue range-hood. This we mounted on a timber plinth, adding extra timber detailing and casting the light right where it was needed in the work zone.

The master bedroom was too small for anything else other than a queen bed and one bedside, and the resulting feeling was a 'bed in a box' with little visual interest around the bed. We solved this by removing one of the built-in wardrobes and installing a custom drawer unit and open shelving above. This little nook articulates the small space, creating an opportunity for display and the drawers provide more useful storage than cupboards. We designed a floating bedside table that maximised floor space and added a hanging bedside lamp from Anchor Ceramics on the other side to remove the need for a second bedside. A wall mounted shelf provided a platform for vertical interest.

In the second bedroom (which triples as a study, a yoga room, and a guest bedroom) we removed a double door wardrobe and built a desk into the alcove, meaning the floor space could remain clear for yoga sessions and be easy to adapt with a fold out queen bed for guests. Allergic to waste as we are - we recycled all the removed cupboards and light fittings into another project.

Finally we sourced a few key decorative items and furnishings and supplied a comprehensive plantscaping package, choosing low maintenance house plants appropriate to each space's light levels and optimising the number of plants to the space for air purification. The outcome is a compact apartment yet rich in texture: simple, yet warm and calming.

I met with the owner the other day and she told me that she had not bothered to make any holiday plans for the summer as she loved being in her home so much. In her words "The greenery in my space is gorgeous and has totally improved the feeling of my place....My home is a total sanctuary.. easy to live and work in, a total delight".

We first visited this 1950's cream brick bungalow on a huge 800sqm block back in 2013 for a sustainable design consultation. At the time the house was run down, dim, cold and had numerous issues to be resolved. Most confoundingly, in the 1970's, a self-contained granny-flat had been built only 4 metres from the back of the house. This addition not only blocked the home's connection to the generous garden but made both buildings feel hemmed in and dark. Both buildings were in disrepair, dated, inefficient and, with a south facing backyard, lacking in northern sunlight. To the owners dismay, all of the professionals they had met with so far had lumped it in the 'too hard' basket advising them to demolish both buildings and subdivide the block into townhouses. Such is the fate of many period homes on large parcels of land close to the CBD! However, they loved the deco style charm of the cream brick and if you were willing to look beyond the unfortunate configuration they had two solid brick buildings with charming period features that in my mind were just begging to realise their potential.

Our design concept was to turn the problem on its head and make it the solution. We proposed that rather than demolishing the granny-flat, and building an extension, we keep the entire footprint of both buildings and consolidate them to create one large, unified, ecologically sustainable home. This design was resourceful both materially and financially by drastically minimising the amount of new build required to create their dream home - instead capitalising on the scope of the existing structures, maintaining the charming original features of the principal building and upgrading the rear building interiors and windows extensively so that they read like new spaces. This project required a lot of imagination and a willingness of the owners to do something unconventional. To our delight they embraced the idea wholeheartedly.

The buildings needed a total reconfiguration, refurbishment and thermally efficient retrofit. In doing this many diverse problems were solved at once. We provided access to all day winter sun to daytime living areas, by placing them in the rear building, set back from the rest of the house. A functional layout and abundant visual and physical connection were able to be created. We collaborated with building designer Logan Shield to design structural changes involving a simply conceived passage that would function as a sitting room and joining the main house and minor dwelling, and a new cathedral roof to the rear building allowing for north facing clerestory windows to be added.

Vintage danish metal pendants were used in the kitchen along with led strip lighting under cabinets. Locally made lights were used by Giffin Design and Anna Charlesworth. Up/ down LED wall-lights were used throughout to allow for ceiling fans.

Solid Vic ash timber kitchen cabinets from the 1970's were removed at demolition and seriously pimped- the timber sanded back and re-oiled to be up-cycled into the new kitchen. Durable matt benchtops were built out of Kobi board- a recycled composite concrete and timber product.Creating visual and practical connection from the residence to the rear garden was prioritised, sliding doors were added to the east courtyard and west decking- making the most of the generous productive gardens. To avoid extensive patching of exterior brickwork, existing window openings were used and the windows replaced with timber double glazed windows. West and south facing windows were reduced and north facing glazing increased. The spaces resulting footprint was large so spaces were designed for flexible use with potential work from home spaces. Maximising the thermal efficiency of the buildings and upgrading to sustainable technologies involved rainwater tanks, photovoltaic systems and solar hot water. Heating was upgraded to two zoned efficient space heater systems and ceiling fans were added.

The new sitting room was conceived of an exceedingly simple timber clad structure that would slide in under the eaves and create minimal alterations to existing rooflines. This room opens onto outdoor living spaces to the east and west allowing the owners to follow the sun all day long, and providing cooling ventilation in the summer. Early on we envisioned a space for reading and morning coffee and bobby coffee table and pampa rug from Pop and Scott made this space come together.

The new living areas are separated from the rest of the home by a beautiful barn-style blackbutt timber door that was built onsite. This allows the space heating to be zoned to this living area during winter but also slides cleanly away when not in use, tucked neatly against the shelving like a feature wall panel.

The old granny flat has been totally transformed into a warm, light, open plan, living/dining and kitchen plus a new laundry/ mud/ drying room and second bathroom. Classically appealing details were chosen that do not reproduce the mid-century period style but that provide a contemporary interpretation of it, building a cohesive relationship between old and new. The existing Australian hardwood detailing (Blackbutt) was continued throughout the new spaces to minimise any jarring transition from old to new. Door hardware and window hardware in aged brass is also consistent throughout.

Salvaged timber railway lockers were repurposed and vintage fluted glass doors sourced. A combination of vintage and locally made custom furnishings was used to create a timeless mix of style and form - unified by quality and materiality.

The colour palette draws on earthy deep textures and colours reminiscent of the period 1950-1970 when both buildings were initially built. Varying shades of warm timber are combined with terracotta and treacle-coloured tiles. Accents in deep green and brass are used on a neutral base of white, charcoal, warm blacks and concrete. Surface materials provide textural interest, with the existing exterior brick creating a new internal wall, slim plantation timber lining boards to the cathedral ceiling, mosaic tiling, raw terracotta and recycled composite surfaces. Durability and practical function have been considered in each space with a place for everything and robust surfaces that will age well with use.

Preston happy was completed in 2015 and was one of our few heroic-owner-builder jobs. When the clients came to us they had already gutted the back of the house and removed their kitchen. Then having the realisation it should probably not go back where it was and that they needed some help to design a new one! It's not our normal style to jump in at that stage of proceedings and churn out a design as quick as we can, as we are great believers in the value of methodical processes and slow design, however after meeting this lovely family and seeing the potential of this modest project we could not resist. This family of five were looking to make their living spaces more functional without adding any space only their originally sized bungalow, simplicity and resourcefulness were key to contain both the complexity and budget. In this case, the lean-to back of the house that often gets removed in favour of new large living areas, stayed. The kitchen we decided to tuck into where the laundry previously was, looking onto the back garden opened up to a dining and sitting. New double glazed doors and windows in this area improved views and natural light. The kitchen footprint was tiny and complicated, with structural walls creating awkward alcoves, so we designed cabinetry that made sense of the space. Our main objective in the small 6m2 space was to make it user-friendly for a growing family. This was done by creating second workspace alcove in between the pantry and fridge where drinks and snacks could be prepared without having to get in the way of the person cooking or doing dishes. The sink was put in an oversized island bench, deep enough for kids to spread out homework or eat meals on one side while kitchen prep. Over head cupboards were taken to the ceiling provide extra storage space. The kitchen was made in a low-cost materials, white laminate with plywood trims, and a small amount of hardwood feature shelving. Custom timber handles were made for the pantry to match, with matt textured japanese mosaic tiles for the splashback. Vintage metal pendant lights in yellow and blue were sourced on etsy and added some colour and fun to the kitchen and dining space. A softer shade of silvery blue in natural linen was used for thermally lined curtains. A hardwood built in seat was added to the end of the dining room with storage inside. The laundry was fitted into the hallway to the bathroom, again using storage to the ceiling and designed to have a curtain pull across the work-zone when not in use. The bathroom fixtures were kept in the same place to save money but it was completely transformed through new paint, tiles, toilet and tapware, and we sourced a lovely second-hand Australian hardwood hall table repurposed as a vanity. Inexpensive pool tiles were used in small quantities for the splash back. Vintage porcelain handles were sourced from etsy for the unit and a matching timber base created for a Volker haug wall light. New paint and window furnishings have created a supremely pretty and cheerful home to be in, not to big, not to fussy, just enough.

And here is what the client had to say:"It was great to work with Megan, who has such expertise in her field. She enabled us to simplify many of the decision-making considerations of the project. We are very happy with the final outcome. We love the freshness, the incorporation of natural materials, the colours and the beautiful details of recycled timber shelving in the kitchen (integrating it into the angled roof line and making a feature of it). The space is very functional and working really smoothly, especially the compact kitchen. Megan sourced a lovely piece of furniture for the bathroom vanity that adds such warmth to the space. The lighting is a real feature of the renovated spaces. Megan's suggestions have really enhanced the ambiance of the rooms."

Nestled in the back streets of Brunswick is this sweet single-fronted terrace. BNE were engaged to design a new kitchen for the home- with a brief to create a super-efficient kitchen-for-one - with a small dishwasher, no gas and a only a bar fridge supplemented with a cool store corner pantry.At the centre of the home is a beautiful deep green music room that flows onto the galley-style kitchen. This music room is a serene, and classically elegant space, so the kitchen was designed to reflect the same refined and timeless quality in a lighter and softer way.

Induction cooking was used to remove the house entirely from gas reliance. This allowed the meter to be removed and the owner to convert the house to 100% renewable energy via a solar system and 100% green power. A full-size fridge was donated to charity and replaced with a small under-bench fridge. The exterior ventilated corner pantry rack houses many perishables that only need to be kept cool, not cold, such as vegetables, fruit, bread and eggs.

The cabinets were hand painted in water based paint - an important feature as they can be repainted instead of being replaced if the owner ever tires of green (never!). Un-lacquered copper cabinet handles and tap-ware were used for their natural microbial qualities.Australian hardwood shelving was sealed with Osmo oils, and two formats of Japanese tiles were used to create the splashback.

The owner of this deliciously quirky triangle terrace lived and worked for 20 years between New Zealand, London and Australia before moving back to Australia to create a home for herself. The house would leave most people scratching their heads as to how to make it work. Wrapped around a central courtyard it is built to the boundary on three sides between another terrace, the street and a bluestone laneway angled at 45 degrees away from the street. The resulting building is full of unusually shaped spaces with two tiny triangle rooms at opposing apexes. Rooms follow on from one another, the bathroom, laundry and spare room are through the master bedroom.Alice enlisted the skills of Nicola at Drawing Room Architecture to resolve the functionality of the spaces and design the new bathrooms and laundry, cosmetic renovation and a courtyard fit-out. She applied her project management skills as a TVC producer with gusto - managing the renovation in a harrowing timeline with a baby on the way.The modest but transformative renovation ensured every space was carefully considered to centre around the courtyard garden and for life with a young son. The previously dark and masculine spaces were softened with new tiles and paint colours. Last year, Megan of Brave New Eco had the pleasure of styling the home for a shoot with Australian born, UK based photographer Penny Wincer.

The triangle kitchen is our favourite part of this house. Surprisingly functional for such an awkward shape, the timber cabinetry is the original 1970's fit out. New tiles and openable windows were added for cross-flow ventilation. A collection of Alice's iconic NZ Crown Lyn pottery lines the shelf above the window and Alice's collection of teapots get a good workout in this lovely space.

Designed by Nicola from Drawing Room Architecture, The west facing outdoor courtyard features built-in seating and garden beds, a beautiful tall slatted fence and oversized gate and a shady pergola to protect from the hot summer sun. Alice filled the space with a table tiled in vintage Art Deco tiles, a huge range of plants, mirrors and shelves to vertical surfaces.

An interior palette of rinsed-out early 20th century tones chosen by Nicola was used, to soften the classic spaces and create a classic backdrop to Alice's eclectic furnishings. Vintage light fittings were installed throughout and Alice has furnished the home lovingly with her collection of vintage English and New Zealand objects and furniture. Brave New Eco made some lovely linen curtains trimmed with a vintage Japanese obi.Alice is an intuitive and disciplined collector, and the home is filled with delightful vintage pieces from her native New Zealand, and Australia and England. She takes a considered approach and really adheres to the William Morris idea that we should only have things in our homes that we find to be useful or consider to be beautiful. The result is a unique and cohesive space, full of humble charm and interest.

A teeny-tiny bathroom/ laundry and toilet were reconfigured by Nicola, making them functional despite the spatial challenges, graphic detail in the vanity and tiles adding interest. Trims and mouldings were painted white to contrast with the timber floors and provide cohesion.

Brave New Eco provides a range of tailored design and consulting services for new and existing homes. Our interiors and retrofit-driven design approach responds to the way you live and the way you want to live. We put people and environment at the heart of our ecological designs. Find out more here.

1. The original back of 1950’s house with outdoor toilet looking to granny flat 2. The demo and 16m2 new build looking at back of the house 3. The concept design for a 4x4m connecting passage joining the two buildings and creating one super efficient home 4. The finished space between #bungalowupcycleproject #instaflip #renoreveal #melbourneinteriors. Project team: @ljshield @macasarbuilding @dailygardener @shan_nan_

Are you working as a sole practitioner or with 1-2 other people? Would you like to work in a productive collaborative community over looking the Merri Creek? We have desks available in our design studio- and are looking for other designers/ sustainability professionals/ creatives looking for an exceptionally beautiful and functional working environment. See details in our blog post linked in our bio.

Down @siteworks_ today in Brunswick with 120 new @interiordesign.rmit students checking out their site specific installations and delivering a #pechacucha talk. Amazing first weeks coordinated by @oliviavanessahamilton.

‘I love this kitchen so much- I am worried I might actually spend the rest of my life in it’, - Claire- recently repatriated into #yarravilliaproject cooking us pizza after some handover celebrations that extended into dinner- 4 mins pizza in the #steeloven pizza oven. Lovely tiled benchtop well done @16bays @macasarbuilding

#renoreveal #prestonhappyproject - 1. what we started with a funny small space with nib walls that needed to stay.. 2. what we proposed the concept render...3. what was built!! #interiordesign #renovationbeforeandafter #australianinteriors #kitchendesign

You never know who is going to pop in and visit @bigbang_studio, today Pringle the friendly pet of @stem_emmalinebowman landscape architecture popped in to say hi and eat some of our grapes! @putyourheartintoit